July 7, 2014
In This Issue
CITY COMMISSION  
 
Employee of the Month 
At the July 3, 2014, City Commission Meeting, Officer Chris Meltzer was honored as the Employee of the Month for the month of June 2014. Officer Meltzer was nominated for this award after he demonstrated a consistent display of teamwork between the Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigations Divisions during an investigation that led to the recovery of stolen property and a positive resolution to a crime. Officer Meltzer is a valuable asset to the Haines City Police Department and to the residents & visitors of Haines City alike, keep up the great work Officer Meltzer. 
 
Left to Right: Mayor H.L. Roy Tyler, Officer Chris Meltzer
 
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT 
 
Employment Opportunities 
The City is currently recruiting for the following positions:
 

For more information about these positions and application instructions, please visit the employment opportunities section of the City's website at  www.hainescity.com/employment .

 
WOW (Watched Outstanding Work!)

Tree Removal

On Monday, June 23, 2014, a Haines City Police Officer contacted the Streets Superintendent's office advising that there was a massive tree limb across the roadway on Lake Villa Way just west of Peninsular Drive.  The tree limb was so large it looked to be just a single tree, not a limb. Streets and Stormwater personnel had been preoccupied performing their daily tasks throughout the City when they each received the call for immediate assistance. Workers were on-site with equipment within 20 minutes and began removing debris from the roadway.  A "Special Thanks" goes out to both teams for their quick action and response. Courtney Miller, John Brewer, Richard Myers, Ed Trail, Bill Ortagus, Duane Jahns, Miguel Rivera and workers with the Inmate Work Program, great job. WOW!

 

 
 

 

Please remember that summer time is here and we are in the middle of the rainy season and a couple months in to "Hurricane Season".  It is important that you inspect your trees for any damage or tree rot they may have. If you are uncertain about what to look for, contact a Tree Arborist for an inspection of your tree. A Tree Arborist will suggest the type of maintenance that is best for your tree. The tree pictured above had a lot of tree rot and later another limb fell from the tree crushing the corner of the home.  

 

The City of Haines City would like to thank all of our excellent, dedicated employees and volunteers who help make the City a great place to work, live and play. If you have "Watched Outstanding Work" within the City, please let us know at wow@hainescity.com.
 
Lightning Safety
 

When thunder roars, move indoors...right?

The fact is, you are not safe anywhere outside. However, if you absolutely can't get to safety, this section may help you slightly lessen the threat of being struck by lightning while outside.

 

  • Avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a ridge top. Lightning typically strikes the tallest object so outdoor activities such as fishing, golfing, or sports in an open area may put you in grave danger.
  • Stay away from metal objects such as bleachers, fences and poles. Although metal does not necessarily attract lightning, metal is an excellent conductor of electricity and can easily travel long distances.
  • A tent offers no protection from lightning, so do not place a campsite in an open field or on top of a hill.  If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees or set up camp in a valley or other low area.
  • Under a tree in the middle of a field is probably the worst place to seek shelter. The tree may help you stay dry, but will significantly increase your risk of being struck by lightning.
  • No place is absolutely safe from lightning, however, some places are much safer than others. The safest location during lightning activity is a large enclosed building, not a picnic pavilion or open shed. The second safest location is an enclosed metal vehicle with windows closed. Try not to touch any metal surfaces inside the car. Soft-topped vehicles such as convertibles, jeeps and golf carts are not safe.
  • A vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths occur on the water. It is crucial to listen to the weather on a radio. If thunderstorms are forecast, don't go out, especially on boats with no cabin. If you are out on the water and skies are threatening, get back to land and find a safe shelter. If you are out and cannot get back to land, drop anchor and get as low as possible. Large boats with cabins, especially those with lightning protection systems, are relatively safe.
  • No place is absolutely safe from lightning, however, some places are much safer than others. The safest location during lightning activity is a large enclosed building, not a picnic pavilion or open shed. The second safest location is an enclosed metal vehicle with windows closed. Try not to touch any metal surfaces inside the car. Soft-topped vehicles such as convertibles, jeeps and golf carts are not safe.
  • Remember to stay inside the cabin and away from any metal surfaces. Stay off the radio unless it is an emergency.

CHIEF'S TIPS 
Police Chief / Interim Fire Chief Rick Sloan
 
Water Safety at Home 

Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. And it's the third leading cause of death among children. Below are some easy tips to follow to ensure your child's safety:

 

  • Never leave your child unattended around water. It may sound strict, but there is no room for compromise because babies can drown in as little as one inch of water.
  • Put the cell phone away, forget about all the other things you have to do and give young children 100% of your attention when they are near or around water.
  • Empty all tubs, buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside down and out of children's reach.
  • Keep toilet lids closed and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning. It's also a good idea to keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed. 
  • Parents have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind - and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better.

 

For additional safety tips for your children, please visit www.safekids.org

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT  
 

As members of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society (FOOLS)  FF/EMT Tana Meredith and FF/EMT Jeorje Mulrooney  helped  prepare dinner at the Ronald McDonald house on June 25, 2014. 
 
This event also honored Lt. William Manning of the Kissimmee Fire Department.  Lt. Manning died in a May 16, 2013, motorcycle crash. The Lt. Bill Manning Foundation is sponsoring two people through paramedic school. 
 
FF/EMT Jeorje Mulrooney (Left) and other members of FOOLS
 
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
 

Permit Activity  

Community Development Director, Richard Greenwood reports that 14 new single family homes were permitted in the month of June. With these new homes, residential new home starts continues to track about 20% higher than permits issued in 2013. 


Two Residential Projects Being Revived

Planning staff has been notified by Garrett Kenny of CEO Feltrim Developments NA INC. of plans to revive two of our "Zombies Subdivisions," which are residential projects that have been on hold since the recession.  The two projects include Carol's Cove, located east of HWY 27 and south of HWY 17/92, and Silverwater, located west of HWY 27 and the Heart of Florida Hospital and south of Massey Road.  The project detail sheets are attached.

 

The term "Zombie Subdivisions" is used to describe residential developments that, due to the recession, were either partially constructed or otherwise did not complete the development review process.  Community Development staff developed a strategy to help facilitate the revival of these properties by creating an inventory and fact sheets for 32 of these projects located within the City.  Area developers and builders were sent an invitation to consider purchasing these projects and complete the development process.  

 

LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT 
 

Library Updates

The Lego Club will meet on July 10th and July 14th at 3:30 PM in the Library Community Room. 

 

It's Science Time on Wednesday mornings in July at the Haines City Public Library in the Community Room starting at 10:30 AM.  

  • July 9th is learning about Motion 
  • July 16th is "Let's Build" 
  • July 23rd is "Sound"  

It is time to have fun while learning about science.

 

Join us at the Haines City Community Center Gymnasium at 555 Ledwith Avenue on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 10:30 AM to enjoy John Storms legendary World of Reptiles Show.  John Storms has entertained thousands of children over the years. On July 15, 2014, at the Community Center Gymnasium, Jiggleman's Joking Juggling will entertain kids of all ages. For more information, please call the Leisure Services Department at (863) 421-3700.

 

Movies at the Library:

  • Saturday, July 12th Smurfs 2 at 11 AM.
  • Saturday, July 19th Pelicula en Espaņol, Smurfs 2 at 11 AM (movie in Spanish).
  • Friday, July 25th at 2 PM a special showing of Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters.

Save This Date, September 4, 2014, the Haines City Friends of the Library will be hosting an informative meeting led by Lori Edwards, Polk County's Supervisor of Elections from 10:30 AM - 12 PM in the Library Community Room.  Ms. Edwards will be discussing the November ballot and the four upcoming amendments.  She will also speak about current voting trends and the voting process. Afterwards she will be available for a question and answer session. For more information please contact the Library at (863) 421-3633

 

Lake Eva Tennis News

The summer junior tennis program is in full swing at the Lake Eva Courts. The tennis lessons will run through August 1st. The following week there will be students competing at the Polk County championships in Lakeland. It's not too late to sign up, start now join the fun. If you are interested in taking tennis lesson, please contact Jeff McCardle at (863) 419-3447 for more information.  

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